Tag Archives: transformation in Christ

Faith, Spiritual

Come Higher: Lay It All Down Before the Lord

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{Day Six}

Beloved, do not be deceived—there is always more of God to be found. Have you tasted the sweetness of His presence, only to realize how little you have truly known Him? Has the fire of His revelation burned away the illusions of your past faith, leaving you undone? Do not shrink back. This is His mercy drawing you deeper. Remember, there is always a chance for more of God no matter the cost.

Many say they know Him, yet they walk in shadows, content with a dim reflection of His glory. But you—He is calling you higher. He is shaking the very ground beneath you, removing what can be shaken, so that only He remains. Will you resist Him? Will you cling to the old, lifeless things He is tearing away? Or will you fall before Him and say, Take it all, Lord—only give me more of You!

The Fire of His Presence Demands Everything

Isaiah saw Him and cried out, “Woe is me!” (Isaiah 6:5). Moses trembled before Him and removed his sandals (Exodus 3:5). Peter fell at Yeshua’s feet, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord!” (Luke 5:8).

What will you do when the weight of His glory comes upon you? Will you shrink back in fear, or will you press in, crying, “Burn away every impurity, Lord—only let me know You!” This is the journey of seeking more of God no matter the cost.

The Spirit is calling, but the cost is high. You cannot hold onto your comfort, your pride, your reputation, your control. He is asking for your entire life. Nothing less. All that you are, laid at His feet.

“If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23 NASB)

Many have stopped at salvation, satisfied that they have escaped hell. But there is more, far more. Yeshua did not die merely to rescue you from destruction—He died to bring you into the fullness of Himself. His cross was not the end of your journey but the beginning. Will you press on, or will you settle for less? Choose to seek more of God no matter the cost.

Break the Illusions—Come Into the Light

You thought you knew Him before. Perhaps you did. But now you see—there is an ocean of glory you have yet to dive into. Every revelation, every breaking, every fire He allows is an invitation: Come closer. See more. Be transformed.

Paul, a man who saw the risen Lord, who was caught up into the third heaven, who performed mighty signs and wonders, still cried out:

“I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Yeshua my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8 NASB)

Are you willing to count all things as loss? Your past experiences, your reputation, your plans—will you lay them down, if only to have more of Him? This is the path of desiring more of God no matter the cost.

The lukewarm will not see His face. The comfortable will not taste the depths of His presence. But to the hungry, to the desperate, to those who cry out, “More of You, Lord!”—He will reveal Himself.

Will You Answer His Call?

This moment is holy. He is drawing you now. You feel the stirring, the weight of His voice calling you out of shallow waters. Will you listen? Will you follow?

Do not delay. Do not harden your heart. Lay everything down and run after Him. He is waiting to fill you with more of Himself than you ever thought possible. Truly, you can have more of God no matter the cost.

A Prayer of Surrender

Father, I hear You calling, and I will not turn away. I lay my life at Your feet—every dream, every plan, every comfort. Burn away everything that is not of You. Take me deeper. Open my eyes. Break me if You must, but do not let me remain as I am. I want You, Lord—more of You, no matter the cost. I give You my whole heart. In Yeshua’s name, amen.

See Also

Perseverance

Pressing into God for a better resurrection

Beloved, pause and marvel at the love the Father has poured out upon us—a love so deep that He calls us His children. Can you grasp this? The Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, has chosen to call you His own. You are not merely labeled a child of God; you are transformed into one, bearing His name, His spirit, and His very nature. But with this calling comes a profound challenge: to press into Him with unwavering devotion, to discipline ourselves in holiness, and to be willing, even, to suffer for the sake of a greater glory. This is what pressing into God for a better resurrection means.

Scripture speaks of those who endured unimaginable hardship, who “were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35 AMP). These saints understood that suffering, when endured for God’s sake, is a path to something infinitely greater. The world did not know them, just as it does not know us, for they sought a better kingdom, a promise unseen but sure. Do you have this same resolve, beloved? Are you willing to press in, to embrace a life of purity and endurance, trusting that every trial refines you and prepares you for His glory? This is about pressing into God for a better resurrection.

This path requires discipline. Jesus Himself taught, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23 AMP). The cross is not light; it’s a symbol of sacrifice and surrender. And yet, for the joy set before Him, Jesus endured it, knowing that the resurrection awaited. We are called to this same discipline, to this same joy. As Paul wrote, “I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27 AMP). Our walk with God requires a willingness to lay down every hindrance, to endure hardship, and to keep our eyes fixed on the hope of glory.

This hope—the hope of being like Him, of seeing Him as He is, of sharing in His glory—is not idle; it calls us to action. It calls us to purify ourselves, just as He is pure (1 John 3:3 AMP). Every trial, every discipline, every act of surrender brings us closer to that day when we will see Him face to face. This is the prize, the “better resurrection” that awaits. “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18 AMP). Pressing into God for a better resurrection is the path we must follow.

So, I challenge you: press in to God with all that you are. Do not shy away from hardship, but let it draw you nearer to Him. Purify your heart, lay aside every sin and weight that hinders, and run with endurance the race set before you, “fixing your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1–2 AMP). This is no easy path, but it is a glorious one, for it leads us to be transformed into His likeness. Pressing into God for a better resurrection requires this dedication.

Stand firm, beloved. Embrace the discipline, the refining, the trials, knowing they are molding you for an eternal inheritance. Let this hope burn in your soul, and let it propel you to a life of pure devotion, for the day is coming when we will see Him in all His glory, and in that moment, we will be like Him. This is the resurrection, the life eternal that awaits. Are you ready to walk this path, to press in with all your heart, knowing that He is faithful? He calls you forward; step into His promise with boldness and faith.

See Also

Armor

Thought Patterns

Beloved, hear the call to renew your minds and establish godly thought patterns, that you may walk in the fullness of life in Christ.

The Lord, in His infinite wisdom, desires that we be transformed by the renewing of our minds. As Paul exhorts us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2 AMP). This transformation begins with a conscious decision to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).

Children of God, let us cast off the old ways of thinking.

As it is written, “Be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:23–24). The old, worldly patterns of thought must be discarded, making way for the mind of Christ to dwell within us richly.

Guard your minds diligently, for they are the battleground of the soul.

Paul reminds us, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3–5 AMP). Our thoughts must be brought into alignment with the truth of God’s Word, resisting every lie and deception of the enemy.

Beloved, now is the time to cultivate godly thought patterns.

As Paul instructs us, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8 AMP). Meditate on these virtues, allowing them to shape your inner being and guide your actions.

Renew your mind with the Word of God.

The psalmist declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Immerse yourself in the Scriptures, for they are living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; they judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Let the Word dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom (Colossians 3:16).

Brothers and Sisters, let us be vigilant in renewing our minds.

Let us be mindful of what we allow into our minds, filtering every thought through the lens of Christ’s teachings. As Paul urges Timothy, “Train yourself to be godly” (1 Timothy 4:7), let us discipline our minds to dwell on God’s truth, enabling us to live out His perfect will.

In the love of Christ, let us commit to this holy endeavor.

Let us strive daily to renew our minds, casting down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). By doing so, we will walk in the light of His truth, reflecting His glory in every aspect of our lives.

Divine Exchange

The Divine Exchange: From Filthy Garments to Christ’s Righteousness

Beloved, let us consider the majesty of God’s mercy and the divine exchange revealed in Zechariah 3:4-7. Here, we find Joshua, the high priest, standing before the Angel of the LORD, his garments stained with filth—a symbol of our fallen nature, guilt, and utter inability to stand righteous before a holy God. Yet, in this vision, God speaks with authority: “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to Joshua He declares, “See, I have removed your wickedness from you and I will clothe you with rich robes” (Zechariah 3:4 AMP).

This exchange of garments is not merely symbolic but foreshadows the work of Jesus Christ. Hear this truth: “He made Christ who knew no sin to judicially be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21 AMP). Christ did not merely take our sin—He became sin for us, that we might be clothed in His perfect righteousness. This is the divine exchange: our filthy garments for His spotless robes.

God’s Mercy and Transformation

The Scriptures reveal this pattern of mercy and transformation again and again. The prophet Isaiah cries out:
“For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” (Isaiah 64:6 AMP).
Even our best efforts cannot erase the stain of sin. But God, rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4), exchanges the rags of our sinfulness for the purity of Christ’s righteousness. Through Christ, we are not merely washed—we are made new:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]” (2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP).

In Zechariah 3:5, a clean turban is placed on Joshua’s head. This signifies a renewed mindset for service to God. The Apostle Paul exhorts us:
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed and progressively changed by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes]” (Romans 12:2 AMP).
This renewal is the work of the Holy Spirit, who teaches us to think as Christ thinks, to see as Christ sees, and to live as Christ commands.

The Call to Walk in God’s Ways

Beloved, the Angel of the LORD tells Joshua, “If you will walk in My ways and keep My charge, then you will also govern My house” (Zechariah 3:7 AMP). This is a call to obedience and faithfulness. We are not saved to idleness but to purpose. God clothes us in righteousness not merely as a covering but as an equipping for His service:
“For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand” (Ephesians 2:10 AMP).

We are given access to God’s presence, just as Joshua was promised free access among those who stood before the LORD. In the New Testament, the writer of Hebrews confirms this access:
“Therefore, let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 AMP).

The Divine Exchange Calls for Rejoicing

This divine exchange should stir in us a profound gratitude and an active response. No longer are we bound by shame or defined by our sin. We have been made new. We stand clothed in the righteousness of Christ, justified before the Father, welcomed into His presence, and empowered to serve His kingdom.

A.W. Tozer once wrote: “A man by his sin may waste himself, which is to waste that which on earth is most like God. This is man’s greatest tragedy and God’s heaviest grief.” But beloved, let us remember that God redeems what sin has wasted. He replaces the ashes of our lives with beauty (Isaiah 61:3).

Embrace the Exchange

Do not hold on to the filthy garments of guilt, pride, or shame. Christ has provided the exchange—“He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has covered me with a robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10 AMP). Walk now in the truth of this gift. Let the world see Christ’s righteousness in you. Serve Him faithfully. Rejoice in the access you have to His throne of grace.

Beloved, the divine exchange is complete. Let us live as those who are truly clothed in Christ.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of Your mercy and grace. Thank You for removing our filthy garments and clothing us in the righteousness of Christ. Help us to walk faithfully in Your ways, with renewed minds and hearts set on You. Draw us closer to Your presence and empower us to serve You with joy. May we never take for granted the access we have through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

See Also